CS Hon. Oparanya Unveils NYOTA Project Rollout, Unlocking Jobs and Opportunities for Youth.

CS Oparanya Unveils NYOTA Project Rollout, Unlocking Jobs and Opportunities for Youth.

CS Oparanya (center) addressing press on the Nyota project rollout today at NSSF House in Nairobi.

Nairobi – September 15, 2025

Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, today in Nairobi, has announced the commencement of entrepreneurship training for youths under the NYOTA Project, a flagship five-year Government of Kenya programme in partnership with the World Bank.

Speaking in Nairobi, CS Oparanya said the project initiated two years ago aims to uplift vulnerable youths and persons with disabilities by expanding employment opportunities, strengthening savings culture, and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.

“Through NYOTA, we are building strong foundations for youth empowerment across all 1,450 wards in Kenya. Today marks the beginning of the first phase of entrepreneurship training in Kakamega and Vihiga, which will be replicated across the country in the coming months,” Oparanya stated.

The NYOTA Project targets over 800,000 vulnerable youths aged 18–29, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities. Its interventions are structured around four core components that is Improving Youth Employability through skills development, certification, apprenticeships, and job placements, expanding Employment Opportunities by offering entrepreneurship training, business incubation, and start-up capital of KSh. 50,000 for selected youth in every ward, promoting a Culture of Savings leveraging the NSSF-managed Haba Haba scheme to encourage long-term financial security and enhancing Systems through Digital Training enabling youth to access government procurement, financial services, and market linkages.

Under the entrepreneurship stream, training is being organised into three cohorts reaching 100,000 youths nationwide, supported by mentorship and incubation. Beneficiaries who complete training will access phased disbursement of the start-up fund to establish and grow their businesses.

The implementation has been divided into eight regional clusters, with the Western region (Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia) being the first to roll out. The programme will then expand to the rest of the country, covering all 47 counties.

The government is committed to training our young people not only to run businesses but also to access employment opportunities if they are not business-oriented. This programme will transform livelihoods and create a strong base for economic empowerment,” Oparanya said.

The expected impact of NYOTA includes 110,000 youth entrepreneurs supported with start-up capital, 20,000 artisans certified under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), 90,000 youth connected to employment opportunities and 600,000 youth trained on government procurement and savings culture.

NYOTA brings together multiple government agencies, including the State Department for MSMEs Development through the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), the National Employment Authority (NEA), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Overall coordination is provided by the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy.

The official national launch of NYOTA, presided over by President William Ruto, is expected to coincide with the first disbursement of start-up funds to trained beneficiaries in the Western cluster.

CS Oparanya urged Kenyan youths to seize the opportunities presented under the programme, noting that NYOTA is designed to provide long-term solutions to youth unemployment and poverty.

“We urge all Kenyans, especially our young people, to stay updated and participate actively in NYOTA programmes. This is not just a project, it is a pathway to economic independence and a brighter future for our nation,” he added.